England 2 Italy 1: Hodgson heaps praise on Carrick and Lampard

Roy Hodgson heaped praise on central midfield duo Michael Carrick and Frank Lampard after England sealed victory over Italy on Wednesday night.

Daniele De Rossi gave the Azzurri a first-half lead, before Phil Jagielka’s header restored parity, and Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe scored a spectacular winner for England in the 79th minute.

Carrick and Lampard both started against the Euro 2012 runners-up after the pair missed out on Euro 2012, and the England boss admitted their quality showed in midfield.

“We deserved victory over 90 minutes and there were some very good performances,” said Hodgson.

“When you miss players like Lampard and Carrick because they are not available you are maybe going to regret it because of the quality they bring.”

Hodgson, who extended his unbeaten run as England boss to seven games with the result in Berne, was pleased with the performances of the inexperienced members of his first-team, including Tom Cleverley and Kyle Walker.

“The game was worthwhile because it gave us a chance to see so many new players,” added Hodgson.

“It might have been different if we had used the same players who had been at the Euros with us.

“But it was great to be able to give some of the senior players a rest and to be able to blood some new players, and they answered the challenge in the best possible way with a great victory.”

England lost to Italy on penalties in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 earlier this summer, but Hodgson felt the Three Lions changed very little in their approach for Wednesday’s friendly.

“I don’t think there was a great difference between what we did in the Euros and what we did here [on Wednesday night]. Perhaps we just played with that little bit more composure,” he added.

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